As a result of the drought declaration by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, many Californians will soon likely face mandatory conservation orders. In fact, many water districts and cities have already asked for voluntary measures.
I have compiled some water conservation suggestions that I hope you will find useful. Some are remarkably simple, and many will help you save money while saving water. The most important fact is that the sooner you begin saving water, the better. Acting now will provide more savings in the long run.
Because of global climate change, our weather is changing each year. While we can hope for wetter years in the future, it is important that we begin to plan for dryer years. I hope that you will start saving water today.
Sincerely, Senator Barbara Boxer
A NOTE FROM NANCY: Living in the beautiful Palm Springs California Desert is an excellent place to practice water conservation. Many of our golf courses have been recycling water, and many homeowners are changing from lawns to attractive desertscape designs using many of the desert plants which need very little water. Many of these plants blossom year-round adding brilliant color to the garden beds. Using small boulders also helps create interesting designs, and the water savings each month will help your pocketbook and help us conserve our water as well.
MORE WATER CONSERVATION SUGGESTIONS
Kitchen
• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for cold drinking water instead of running the tap.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl instead of under running water.
• Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not under running water.
• Install aerators on faucets to reduce flow.
• Wash full loads in dishwashers.
Bathroom
• Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving.
• Install a showerhead that lets you turn off water while soaping up.
• Check toilets for leaks by placing food coloring in the tank; if color shows up in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak, most likely with the flapper valve.
• Replace gaskets, flapper valve or other worn parts in toilets.
• Take shorter showers and shallow baths.
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.
• Replace old toilets with new low-flush models. Your local water supplier may offer rebates and incentives for new toilets.
Laundry Room
• Run the clothes washer with full loads only.
Outdoors
• Adjust sprinklers so that they are level, the right height and spray the right direction and eliminate runoff into the gutter.
• Put a layer of mulch down in the garden to keep soil moisture in and weeds out.
• Adjust the sprinkler timer as the weather changes.
• Install a rain shut-off sensor on the irrigation controller.
• Sweep pavement and driveways instead of hosing them down.
• Water at night or early morning to prevent excessive evaporation.
• Don’t water when windy or raining.
• Don’t flood gutters – make sure water is applied slowly enough to soak in and not run off.
• Don’t over-water – every third day is usually enough.
• Avoid use of hoses without a shutoff valve.
• Use an automatic shutoff nozzle when washing cars or go to a water recycling car wash.
• Check your pool and equipment for leaks.
• Cover swimming pools to reduce evaporation.
Other Tips
• Call your water supplier to see what assistance they may be able to give. Some water suppliers offer water wise house calls, rebates and free water saving devices.
• Fix leaks and problems with plumbing and irrigation equipment.
Long Term Actions
• Replace water using appliances such as dish washers and clothes washers with high-efficiency Energy Star models that save energy and use less water.
• Plant low-water-using trees and shrubs.
• Reduce the size of your lawn area.
• Replace worn and inefficient sprinklers with efficient equipment.
• Replace standard toilets with high-efficiency models.
For more information visit DWR’s Office of Water Use Efficiency and Transfers web site: http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/
I look forward to hearing your comments about other water conservation tips. By working together we can find a solution.
Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com
Posted by palmspringsrealestate 